Balanga, Samal cited best in fisheries compliance audit
BALANGA CITY, Bataan- The City of Balanga and Samal town were adjudged by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as among the top performers in this year’s Fisheries Compliance Audit (FishCa) in Central Luzon.
Mayor Francis Garcia of Balanga and Mayor Aida Macalinao of Samal thanked the DILG for taking cognizance of their efforts in preserving their municipal waters and protecting their fisheries.
Based on the criteria, DILG said Balanga placed first, Samuan on Pampanga landed Second while Samal ranked third.
“FishCa indicators include an existing city fisheries ordinance, ordinance on entry of commercial fishing vessels inside the 10.1-10.5km of the municipal waters, water delineation, coastal resource management plans, and registry of municipal fisherfolk and municipal fishing vessels and gears,” DILG Bataan Manila Bay Focal Person Russel Jasper Rabacio said in statement.
Among the basis also were issuance of auxiliary invoices; functional post-harvest facilities for the fish landing sites, fish ports, ice plants, and cold storage; provision of technical support; existing collaboration on coastal resource management; creation of Municipal/City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council; and fish wardens.
“These validation tools are aligned with the Philippine Fisheries Code which aims to protect all water areas,” Rabacio added.
This province is a coastal area and that some Bataeños depend their income from fishing.
FishCa top performer local government units will receive cash incentives that will help them support their respective development projects in preserving their water areas.
Balanga will receive P150,000. Sasmuan gets P100,000 and Samal takes home P70,000.
